State Sen. Jim Banks, R-Columbia City, was sworn in Tuesday morning from Afghanistan.
Banks is an officer in the Naval Reserve. He received word earlier this year he'd be called up to service from September through April, meaning he'd miss the entire legislative session.
Utilizing a provision of state law, Banks will take a leave of absence, allowing Republican Party officials to elect a temporary replacement.
His first step in that process was to be sworn in, a ceremony Indiana Supreme Court Justice Robert Rucker performed with Banks over an Internet connection.
Banks then submitted his formal leave of absence. His wife Amanda is expected to replace him